7 Embracing Eco-Caribbean Summer Destinations
Images by 16:9clue used under the Creative Commons license.
Traveling to beautiful places is always fun, especially ones whose scenic beauty is untouched by human hands and developed in a sustainable and environmentally positive way. Ecotourism, which is now most commonly defined as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education,” is an immersive and positive way to experience the world.
For some eco-friendly time in the sun, here are 7 great Caribbean destinations.
D O M I N I C A
Dominica hike via Flickr User Ken Bogna
Dominica is a top Caribbean destination for anyone looking for a real outdoor adventure. With a mix of rugged tropical forest filled with waterfalls and lush vegetation, as well as beautiful crystal clear waters for scuba diving and snorkelling, there are more than enough ways to become one with nature.
S T. J O H N
Trunk Bay, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands by F. Mira on Flickr
On the US mainland it is difficult to find a good piece of coast that hasn’t been developed to the point of losing its natural beauty, but fortunately two-thirds of St John is devoted to the Virgin Islands National Park. The island is mainly home to private residences and small guesthouses, and features a buzzing village life filled with artists, open-air cafés, and restaurants.
B O N A I R E
Riscado, Bonaire via Flickr User Donal Boyle
Bonaire is an eco-conscious island, gaining half its power through wind-farms and the other half with bio-diesel fuels. The waters of Bonaire are known as one of the best scuba locations in the world, and the island is proud of the work it does to preserve its marine eco-system.
B E L I Z E
Images by Serge Melki used under the Creative Commons license.
Due to the many natural wonders of its landscape, Belize is home to a wide variety of eco resorts and eco vacation opportunities. Whether you want to stick to the surf and sun or explore the in-land rain forests and cave systems, you can explore this nation responsibly.
C O S T A R I C A
Image of Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica via Flickr User Arturo Sotillo
Similar to Belize, Costa Rica has the fortune of being home to a huge portion of the world’s biodiversity, so for anyone interested in exploring the flora and fauna of Central America and the Caribbean, this small country with its purple volcanoes and beaches of sea turtles is perfect for you.
B A H A M A S
Image via Small Hope Bay Lodge, a low-impact destination on Andros Island, Bahamas
The Bahamas might be home to a vast array of resorts, but it also has plenty of options for those looking to live a simpler lifestyle. Featuring an abundance of eco-tours, this destination is great for anyone who is looking to meet-up and explore with new friends.
T R I N I D A D
Tufted Coquette Hummingbird, at Asa Wright Nature Center, Trinidad; via Flickr User Pedro Lastra
The Asa Wright Nature Center and Lodge was one of the first eco destinations established in 1967 by naturalists and bird-watchers. A non-profit center, guests help to maintain the lodge’s plants and hiking paths, which span over 183 acres that are home to 170 species of birds.
The Caribbean is a beautiful and diverse area, and each country offers its own unique beauty and style. No matter where you decide to take your vacation you’re bound to discover natural wonders and have the time of your life while contributing to the environment in a positive way.
This post is sponsored.
Lindsay E. Brown
Lindsay has spent her career at the intersection of media and social change. In her role at Eco-Chick, Lindsay has established partnerships and campaigns with some of the world’s most-recognized companies committed to sustainability and CSR. She co-created the popular interview series “Heroines for the Planet” that features groundbreaking women who share courage and a deep passion for protecting people and the Earth. Lindsay is the Marketing and Sustainability Manager at Health-Ade Kombucha and previously served as Director of Communications at the social enterprise CBS EcoMedia. There she directed corporate advertising dollars to the nation’s most effective non-profits tackling urgent social issues in local communities and was awarded CBS Corporation’s prestigious Share-the-Vision award. She has written for Whole Living Magazine, Edible, Cottages & Gardens, From The Grapevine, EarthHour.org, Eco-Age.com, and for environmentalists Laura Turner Seydel and Susan Rockefeller. Lindsay holds a BS in Global Business Studies and Marketing from Manhattan College, and received the 2012 Honors Award at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
